Benz Patent-Motorwagen

The Benz Patent-Motorwagen (or motorcar), built in 1885, is widely regarded as the first automobile, that is, a vehicle designed to be propelled by a motor.

The vehicle was awarded the German patent, number 37435, which Karl Benz applied for on January 29, 1886. Following official procedures, the date of the application became the patent date for the invention once the patent was granted, which occurred in November of that year.

Although Bertha Benz financed the developing process, and she to modern standards is to be seen as owner of the patent-rights, as a married woman she wasn't allowed to apply for the patent. At that time married women in the region the Benz-family lived, by law were taken away the juridical power to act.

Benz officially unveiled his invention to the public on July 3, 1886 on the Ringstrasse (Ringstraße) in Mannheim, Germany.

Specifications

After developing a successful gasoline-powered two-stroke piston engine in 1873, Benz focused on developing a motorized vehicle while maintaining a career as a designer and manufacturer of stationary engines and their associated parts.

The Benz Patent-Motorwagen was a three-wheeled automobile with a rear-mounted engine. The vehicle contained many new inventions. It was constructed of steel tubing with woodwork...
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